New Canaan seniors chase history

By Dave Ruden, Staff Writer

Published
1:00 am EST, Friday, December 4, 2009

The New Canaan Rams gather around athletic director Jay Egan (not pictured) as he give a pep talk during football practice at New Canaan High School in New Canaan, Conn. on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. The Rams will play for a repeat of the state title on Saturday. less

The New Canaan Rams gather around athletic director Jay Egan (not pictured) as he give a pep talk during football practice at New Canaan High School in New Canaan, Conn. on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. The Rams will ... more

The New Canaan Rams gather around athletic director Jay Egan (not pictured) as he give a pep talk during football practice at New Canaan High School in New Canaan, Conn. on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. The Rams will play for a repeat of the state title on Saturday. less

The New Canaan Rams gather around athletic director Jay Egan (not pictured) as he give a pep talk during football practice at New Canaan High School in New Canaan, Conn. on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. The Rams will ... more

"How many people can say they did that every year in high school?" said Marinelli, referring to his seniors. "I can imagine a dad walking in here with his kid and looking at the banners 20 or 25 years from now, thinking that must have been really something."

Cody Newton, one of the Rams' seniors and the team's leading receiver, said he is looking through a much narrower scope.

"To have this opportunity for a fourth straight title is unreal," Newton said. "Now that it is our senior year, we feel like this is ours. Rather than a fourth straight we are thinking this is our year. We've worked hard to get here. We are going to do everything we can to take it home."

Whether the view is on the present or future, a win Saturday over East Lyme in the CIAC Class M final (2 p.m., Bunnell High School in Stratford) will give New Canaan a valid argument as the state's team of the decade in high school football.

The Rams (10-1), the top seeds, are 5-1 in championship games since 2000, and are riding a five-game winning streak. Under Marinelli, they are 7-2 in the final.

To make it six in a row on Saturday, New Canaan is going to have to show improvement over the last three games, including a pair of wins that easily could have had different outcomes.

"I'm a little surprised we're here, too, by the way we've played, but I'm not sorry," Marinelli said. "If we play the way we've played the last two games, there is a good chance we're not going to be successful."

Following a loss to Bridgeport Central that ended a 24-game winning streak and cost them the No. 1 ranking in the state and a chance to defend their FCIAC title, the Rams defeated Darien, 14-7, and then St. Paul, 14-13 on Tuesday night in the semifinal round on a failed two-point conversion in the final minute.

In both instances, the Rams moved the ball up the field before stalling in the red zone, while the defense gave up a lot of yardage but few points.

The consensus is the team will not be able to get away with an uneven performance a third time.

"I think going back and looking at the film, especially with St. Paul, things are there," Marinelli said. "A little overthrow here, a little underthrow, a missed block. The offense has not been as bad at is has looked. The loss to Central certainly knocked us for a loop."

Turner Baty, who was sharp in the five games he started after taking over as starting quarterback in the fourth week and adapting to the spread offense, has struggled since, mostly with his timing on long passes.

"I don't think he's that far off," Marinelli said. "I think what has happened to him is he is trying to do too much. He's been forcing balls because he was able to do it before."

Newton, who has had an outstanding season, offered the same analysis his teammates and coaches have used.

"We feel we just need to sharpen up," Newton said. "Ever since the Central game we haven't played our best on offense or defense. On offense we just need to get in a rhythm. It has been extremely frustrating because we had been awesome on offense. We have to step it up."

Defensively, the Rams have struggled stopping the run, and been bailed in large part because of opponents' mistakes. St. Paul lost the ball twice on fumbles near the goal line.

"They have been a bend-but-not-break type," Marinelli said. "They have found a way to get it done, and I expect them to find a way again."

East Lyme (10-1), which is the second seed, will pose a big test. The Vikings have a nearly 4-1 run-to-pass ratio. Led by Jordan McCoy (898 yards) and Kevin Miao (798 yards), they have averaged over five yards per carry.

"The question is can we stop them?" Marinelli said.

"They have some big, physical, tough kids that come right at you. There is nothing fancy about what they do. They are going to try to control the ball and run right over our face."

After scoring 35 or more points in their first eight games, the Rams' recent inconsistency seems to have overshadowed all that has been accomplished thus far.

A win Saturday afternoon will put the whole season in a proper perspective.

"I think the kids are excited," Marinelli said. "They have accomplished a goal to get here, and now that they are here, they want to win it."